According to WebMD in their article Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), AMD affects central vision due to age-related damage to the macula, which is responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision. The macula is a vital part of the retina, located at the back of your eye.
While AMD doesn’t lead to complete blindness, it can significantly affect daily life tasks such as reading, recognizing faces, driving, or performing close-up work around the house.
Types and Stages of AMD AMD can be categorized into two main types: dry and wet.
- Dry AMD (Early, Intermediate, and Late Stages): This form of AMD typically progresses slowly over several years. Unfortunately, there’s currently no treatment available for late-stage dry AMD. However, strategies exist to maximize your remaining vision.
- Wet AMD (Always Late Stage): Although less common, wet AMD causes faster vision loss. The good news is that treatment options are available for wet AMD, offering hope for improved vision.
Symptoms of AMD Symptoms may vary depending on the stage of the condition:
- Early Dry AMD: Often, there are no noticeable symptoms.
- Intermediate Dry AMD: Some individuals may experience mild blurriness or difficulty seeing in low-light conditions.
- Late AMD (Both Dry and Wet): Symptoms can include seeing straight lines as wavy or crooked, a blurry central area in your vision, and a reduction in the brightness of colors. If you notice these symptoms, seek prompt attention.
Are You at Risk? The risk of AMD increases with age, especially for those aged 55 and older. Other risk factors include a family history of AMD, Caucasian ethnicity, and smoking. Regular eye exams are vital since early-stage AMD may not exhibit noticeable symptoms.
Lowering Your Risk Research suggests that you can reduce your risk of developing AMD or slow down vision loss by making healthy lifestyle choices:
- Quit smoking or avoid starting.
- Engage in regular physical activity.
- Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Consume a healthy diet rich in leafy green vegetables and fish.
Checking for AMD Your eye doctor can detect AMD through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) may also be used, which takes detailed images of the eye’s interior.
Living with Vision Loss from AMD While not everyone with AMD develops late-stage vision loss, it can be challenging. However, there are solutions available to help you maintain your independence, such as low vision devices and vision rehabilitation services.
Stay informed, stay healthy!
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